The Great Americans Shoot 2017 Aims for another Record-Breaking Event for Special Forces Charitable Trust and Other Military Nonprofits

Three American Military Heroes Join Patriotic Americans Outside of Los Angeles for Skilled Sporting Clays Shoot and Other Competitions as a Salute to Our American Warriors

NEWHALL, CA – The Fourth Annual The Great Americans Shoot will take place at the Oak Tree Gun Club in Newhall, CA from September 29th through October 1st, 2017.

Once again, the event organizers and participants are aiming to surpass the previous Great Americans Shoot’s fundraising record, making this year’s event the largest fundraising clay shoot in history. This philanthropic sporting clay shoot benefits the Special Forces Charitable Trust (SFCT) (www.specialforcescharitabletrust.org) and multiple other military nonprofits that provide support to active duty Service Members, Veterans, and their Families. Nearly $4 million has been raised for charity since the Shoot’s inception in 2014.

Half of the proceeds from this one-of-a-kind event will go to SFCT to support its mission to provide meaningful and sustainable support, through programs and services, to the United States Army Special Forces, past and present, and their Families. The other half of the proceeds will be given to the designated charities of the top five fundraising teams. The event is comprised of 20 five-person shooting teams that have each committed to raising $50,000.00. Each team also includes a “6th Man” from within the Special Operations Community, who will join the shooting competition as an honorary team member. In addition to the main event, there will be a 3-Gun Competition where lucky civilians will be able to support military charities of their choice and compete with teams of two “professionals” from the Special Operations Community.

The Great Americans Shoot 2017 (www.thegreatamericansshoot.org) is co-chaired by three American military heroes: former Special Forces Nate Boyer, retired Navy SEAL George Severence, and retired Marine Reconnaissance Master Gunnery Sergeant John Croft. Each of these inspirational men expresses a deep appreciation to all participants and donors, who show incredible patriotism for our great country.

“You are the reason we are so brave,” says Boyer, who has had multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan during his 10 years with United States Army Special Forces. “We know that people like you have our backs while we are downrange, and that our families will be taken care of while we are deployed.”

This is exactly what these American citizens aim to do through this event; they fundraise to support these Soldiers and their Families as they sacrifice to protect the freedoms that we enjoy every day.

Severence, who served on the front lines in the War on Terror, explains:

“This is not like World War II, when just about every American family was directly touched by the conflict. To all potential donors, many of whom have no direct relationship with the military, I say thank you for understanding what our families face.”

As conflict in the world increases, deployments have become significantly more frequent; yet, many Americans have been fortunate enough not to have had their lives directly impacted by this global change: this is because of the strength, sense of duty, and sacrifices of the United States military and their Families. As Americans, it is our duty and our privilege to support them, though they do not ask for anything.

Croft, who spent 20 of his 27 years in the United States Marine Corps in Marine Reconnaissance, elaborates:

“We are trained to do our job and to be self-sufficient. If there is an issue at home, we are not the types to go looking for assistance. Organizations like the Special Forces Charitable Trust and other military nonprofits provide critical resources in a quiet and respectful way, and we are extremely grateful to them and their donors.”

“The Great Americans Shoot continues to grow each year, raising money and awareness for these deserving military nonprofits,” said David T. Guernsey Jr., Executive Director of the Special Forces Charitable Trust. “We are proud to have great co-chairs like Nate, George and John this year, and we anticipate a record turnout. It’s a wonderfully patriotic and meaningful way for people to say “thank you” to our military warriors and their families.”